CREWE is working with experts behind Blackpool’s world-famous Illuminations, looking to give families from South Cheshire and beyond their ‘biggest and best’ festive lights display.
Lumen, the hugely successful lights campaign which draws massive crowds to Municipal Square, will change format for 2020 and will instead be a spectacular trail round the town centre.
Crewe Town Council has announced it is working with Blackpool Council’s Illuminations team to bring a dazzling season of attractions in the run up to Christmas.
Councillor Benn Minshall, Mayor of Crewe, said: “This year, more than ever, our mission is to give local people the best possible event to support our local businesses in the town centre, by providing something which is attractive to both residents and visitors but is staged in the most responsible way under changing conditions.
“Since the launch of Lumen in 2018, it’s got people talking about Crewe in a positive way and for 2020, we believe there is still the capacity and potential to create truly special moments for everyone to share.
“We are proud to be building our partnership with the Illuminations team at Blackpool Council, who are world-famous for their stunning displays and will bring their considerable skills to delivering a lights campaign for Crewe which will live on in our memories for years to come.”
In previous years more than 10,000 people have crowded into the town centre to enjoy an action-packed night of entertainment and the countdown to a projected illumination lighting up Municipal Buildings. This year, the team are working hard to provide something just as spectacular but safe, so expect to see wonderful installations spread far enough apart that everyone can enjoy them safely.
Lumen has also set tills ringing. In its first year the month-long lights campaign led to a bumper £104,995 spent in local outlets, based on a specially commissioned survey of families attending.
The Town Council promises Lumen 2020 will bring spectacular and unusual things to see into the town centre and create a fun trail for families to follow to find them all, without the need to gather in one place.
November 27 is earmarked as the launch date and Blackpool experts have visited Crewe on several occasions already, to begin mapping out a creative plan which works within current Covid-19 restrictions.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to be working with Crewe Town Council to help deliver their Lumen Light Festival.
“We have an extremely skilled team here at Blackpool Illuminations, who work with a number of towns and cities across the UK to give expert advice on their own lighting requirements, as well as planning and delivering Christmas Lights Switch Ons.
“For Crewe, we are bringing some of our skills and expertise from our Lightpool Festival as well to create a truly illuminating spectacle for Crewe this year.”
The contract has been awarded to Blackpool Council after a competitive tendering process which attracted applications from all over the country.
More details will be announced in the Autumn.